she not only

USAGE SUMMARY

"she not only" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to introduce something that is in addition to whatever has previously been mentioned. For example: "Although she had experienced many hardships, she not only endured them, but became stronger as a result."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She not only remembered but could describe her two ponytails.

The New Yorker

She not only lost an unlosable primary race.

The Economist

She not only lives in Jamaica, she also works there.

The New York Times

She not only mugs on her show, she sings.

The New York Times - Arts

She not only left behind a husband, but also later rejected custody of her baby daughter.

The New York Times - Books

Thus she not only needs room for heirloom tomatoes, but also just the right light.

The New York Times

She not only stood behind her husband; she pushed him forward.

The New Yorker

"She not only had a level of credibility in her résumé," Spitzer said.

The New York Times - Sports

She not only believes that the two defendants were innocent, but blames the secret police.

Independent

She not only resents Lane's success; she is mystified by her sister's sense of entitlement.

The New Yorker

She not only did, but she also responded with a long list of follow-up questions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she not only", ensure that the second part of the sentence provides a significant addition or surprise, enhancing the impact of the initial statement. For example, "She not only completed the project on time, but also exceeded all expectations."

Common error

Avoid failing to create a balanced parallel structure after "she not only". Ensure that the grammatical form of the phrase following "not only" matches the form of the phrase introduced by "but also". For example, instead of "She not only sings, but also is a dancer", use "She not only sings, but also dances."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she not only" functions as a correlative conjunction, specifically designed to introduce the first element in a pair, where the second element is typically introduced by “but also.” This construction serves to emphasize both elements, as confirmed by Ludwig, and suggest that the second element is an addition to, or consequence of, the first.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Huffington Post

8%

The New York Times

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she not only" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction in written English. It serves to emphasize dual qualities or actions of a female subject, typically followed by "but also". As indicated by Ludwig, its primary function is to introduce one part of a correlative conjunction, adding emphasis and a sense of surprise. This construction is most commonly found in news and media sources and is suitable for a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure parallel structure is maintained to avoid grammatical errors. Considering alternatives like "not only did she" or "she also" can provide nuanced emphasis depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not only did she

Reverses the order of emphasis, placing 'did she' closer to the action.

she did more than just

Emphasizes the extent of her actions beyond a minimal expectation.

she went beyond simply

Highlights that her actions exceeded a basic level.

in addition to that, she

Formally introduces another point about her.

furthermore, she

Adds another fact or detail in a formal tone.

moreover, she

Suggests a more significant or impactful addition.

not just that, she also

Casual way to emphasize an additional aspect of her actions.

on top of that, she

Informally emphasizes the addition of something extra.

besides that, she

Indicates another action or characteristic that she possesses.

she also

Simpler way to add another action, lacking the emphasis of 'not only'.

FAQs

How can I use "she not only" in a sentence?

Use "she not only" to introduce a statement, followed by "but also" to add a surprising or significant additional piece of information. For example, "She not only sings beautifully, but also writes her own music".

What are some alternatives to using "she not only"?

You can use alternatives like "not only did she", "she also", or "in addition to that, she" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "she not only"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. The structure "she not only...but also..." is a common construction used to emphasize two related points.

What is the difference between "she not only" and "she also"?

"She also" simply adds another piece of information. "She not only" emphasizes that the second piece of information is surprising or significant in addition to the first. It's a stronger way to connect related ideas.